STUART  (CBS12) — The long-planned Brightline station in downtown Stuart has been delayed again, with county officials now projecting the earliest opening in 2028.

The setback comes after the Federal Railroad Administration did not approve Martin County’s request for $45 million in grant money this year. That funding was expected to cover most of the project’s $60 million cost, with the remaining $15 million to be covered locally.

Instead, the federal grant program was restructured and reissued, expanding the pool of money to more than $5 billion nationwide and resetting the rules, priorities, and deadlines.

Martin County’s application was wiped out, forcing officials to start over and reapply.

The new deadline is Jan. 7, 2026, with funding decisions expected by that summer.

Assistant County Administrator George Stokus told CBS12 News the impact to staff is “really minimal” since grant consultants are already handling most of the resubmission.

“It’s just an email, another submission,” he said. “We pivot, and we’ll get there. The train’s still rolling through our town, so we’re still affected. We might as well get something out of it, right?”

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Stokus emphasized that the delay amounts to about six months, not years, compared to if money had been awarded now.

He also pointed to what he considers an advantage: a larger funding pool.

“We’re really excited at the opportunity, because now we have a bigger pot to compete with,” Stokus said. “$5 billion is a lot of money, and our ask is still $45 million.”

Locally, Martin County has been setting aside money in its capital infrastructure fund, which does not come from property taxes. So far, about $4.5 million has been saved, reducing the amount the county would need to borrow to meet its $15 million match.

“The amount of money we would have to borrow continues to shrink the longer it takes,” Stokus said.

But the stakes remain high. Stokus admitted if the county doesn’t win the federal grant, the project could collapse.

“If we don’t get the grant funds, then we probably wouldn’t be able to build the station because we’d have to reassess that,” he said.

Still, Stokus expressed optimism, citing partnerships with federal and state lawmakers, as well as Brightline itself. He also noted that Martin County will have two chances to apply in future cycles.

Critics remain skeptical, warning that taxpayers have already funded years of planning and that inflation could push the cost well above the original $60 million. They also point out that Brightline is a private, for-profit company relying on public dollars for local infrastructure.

For now, Brightline trains continue to speed through Stuart without stopping — leaving the fate of a station, and millions in public money, up to Washington’s decision in 2026.

WPEC-CBS12 is a news partner of the South Florida Sun Sentinel.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/09/25/funding-gap-derails-plan-for-next-brightline-station/